Pocono lettuce variety

ABSTRACT

A new lettuce variety designated ‘Pocono’ is described. ‘Pocono’ is an iceberg lettuce variety exhibiting stability and uniformity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 §USC 119(e) of priorco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/709,843, filedOct. 4, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of plant breeding. In particular,this invention relates to new lettuce, Lactuca sativa, variety,‘Pocono’.

BACKGROUND

Lettuce is an increasingly popular crop. Worldwide lettuce consumptioncontinues to increase. As a result of this demand, there is a continuedneed for new lettuce varieties. In particular, there is a need forimproved romaine lettuce varieties that exhibit improved growth habits,bolting and tip burn tolerance, and disease resistance.

SUMMARY

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to animproved iceberg lettuce variety that exhibits vigorous growth,increased weight, and increased yield. In particular, the presentinvention is directed to lettuce, Lactuca sativa, seed designated as‘Pocono’ having ATCC Accession Number X1. The present invention isfurther directed to a lettuce head isolated from a Lactuca sativa plantproduced by growing ‘Pocono’ lettuce seed having ATCC Accession NumberX1. The present invention is further directed to a Lactuca sativa planthaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of aLactuca sativa plant produced by growing ‘Pocono’ lettuce seed havingATCC Accession Number X1. The present invention is further directed toan F₁ hybrid Lactuca sativa plant having ‘Pocono’ as a parent, where‘Pocono’ lettuce seed is grown from ‘Pocono’ seed having ATCC AccessionNumber X1.

The present invention is further directed to lettuce, Lactuca sativaplants and lettuce heads isolated therefrom produced by growing ‘Pocono’lettuce seed. The present invention is further directed to a Lactucasativa plant and the lettuce head isolated therefrom having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of a Lactuca sativaplant produced by growing ‘Pocono’ lettuce seed having ATCC AccessionNumber X1. The present invention is further directed to an F₁ hybridlettuce, Lactuca sativa plant and a head isolated therefrom grown fromthe seed having ‘Pocono’ as a parent wherein ‘Pocono’ is grown from‘Pocono’ lettuce seed having ATCC Accession Number X1.

The present invention is further directed to pollen isolated from‘Pocono’ lettuce plants. The present invention is further directed toovules isolated from ‘Pocono’ lettuce plants. The present invention isfurther directed to tissue culture of ‘Pocono’ lettuce plants.

The present invention is further directed to a method of selectinglettuce plants by: a) growing more than one ‘Pocono’ lettuce plant,where the plants are grown from lettuce seed having ATCC AccessionNumber X1; and b) selecting a plant from step a). The present inventionis further directed to lettuce plants and seeds produced therefrom,where the lettuce plants and seeds are isolated by the selection methodof the invention.

The present invention is further directed to a method of breedinglettuce by crossing a lettuce plant with a plant grown from ‘Pocono’lettuce seed having ATCC Accession Number X1. The present invention isfurther directed to lettuce plants, heads isolated therefrom, and seedsproduced therefrom, where the lettuce plant is isolated by the breedingmethod of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

In order to more clearly understand the invention, the followingdefinitions are provided:

Iceberg Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. var. capitala L. isalso known as ‘crisp head’ lettuce. Iceberg lettuce is a lettuce planttype that forms a firm, spherical head formed with tightly foldedbrittle textured foliage. Internal color ranges from white to yellow tolight green. The wrapper leaves surrounding the head are wider than theyare long. Leaf margins can vary by type, being entire, undulating, orfrilled. Wrapper leaf color ranges from yellow green to dark green.

Core Length: Core length is the length of the internal lettuce stem.Core length is measured from the base of the cut head to the tip of thecore.

Core Diameter: Core diameter is the diameter of the lettuce stem at thebase of the cut head.

Head Diameter: Head diameter is the diameter of the vertically slicedlettuce plant head at its widest horizontal point, perpendicular to thestem.

Head Length: Head length is the diameter of the vertically slicedlettuce plant head as measured from the base of the cut stem to the capleaf.

Average Head Diameter: Average head diameter is an average of themeasured head diameter and head length of the lettuce head.

Average Head Diameter: Core Length Ratio: The ratio of the average headdiameter to core length is indicative of the percentage of useableproduct produced by the lettuce plant.

Frame Diameter: The frame diameter is a measurement of the lettuce plantdiameter at its widest point. The measurement of frame diameter is fromthe outer most wrapper leaf tip to outer most wrapper leaf tip.

Head Weight: Head weight is the weight of the marketable lettuce plant,cut and trimmed to market specifications.

Rogueing: Rogueing is the process in lettuce seed production whereundesired plants are removed from a variety. The plants are removedbecause they differ physically from the general desired expressedcharacteristics of the variety. The differences can be related to size,color, maturity, leaf texture, leaf margins, growth habit, or any othercharacteristic that distinguishes the plant.

Market Stage: Market stage is the stage when a lettuce plant is readyfor commercial lettuce harvest. In the case of a romaine lettucevariety, a romaine plant is at a marketable state when the heart hassome density and the head has reached an adequate size and weight.

Taking into account these definitions, the present invention is directedto seeds of the lettuce variety ‘Pocono’, plants produced by growing‘Pocono’ lettuce seeds, head isolated or harvested from the plants, oneor more plants selected from a collection of ‘Pocono’ plants and seedsderived or produced therefrom; plants produced by crossing a lettuceplant with a ‘Pocono’ lettuce plant and seeds derived or producedtherefrom.

‘Pocono’ is an iceberg lettuce variety that is distinct to all knowniceberg lettuce varieties due to its dark green color, large heading,and improved texture for late fall and early winter plantings in regionssuch as Yuma, Ariz.

Through extensive field trialing and screenings, ‘Pocono’ hasdemonstrated to have a dark green color, large heading, improvedtexture, and to be well adapted for late fall and early winter plantingsin regions such as Yuma, Ariz.

‘Pocono’ was evaluated in multiple trials and evaluated for improvedhead and frame size, dark green color, and smoother texture.

‘Pocono’ has been extensively trialed in Yuma, Ariz., and was selectedfor large head and frame size, dark green color and an improved smoothertexture. ‘Pocono’ was also selected for growth during winter plantingsin Yuma, Ariz.

As evaluated in multiple seed production fields and commercial plantingsfor 2 generations, ‘Pocono’ has been observed to be uniform and stablewithout variants.

As described herein, lettuce variety ‘Pocono’ has numerousdistinguishing characteristics.

A. Variety Description Information Plant Type: Iceberg Seed: Seed Color:White Light Dormancy: Light not required Heat Dormancy: SusceptibleCotyledons: Shape of Cotyledons: Intermediate Shape of Fourth Leaf:Broad/Elongated Length/Width Index of Fourth Leaf: 26 Apical Margin:Finely Dentate Basal Margin: Finely Dentate Undulation: Flat GreenColor: Dark Green Anthocyanin: Distribution: Absent Rolling: AbsentCupping: Absent Reflexing: Lateral Margins Mature Leaves: Margin:Incision Depth (Deepest penetration of Moderate the margin): Indentation(Finest Division of the Crenate Margin): Undulation of the ApicalMargin: Moderate Green Color: Dark Anthocyanin Absent Distribution:Size: Large Glossiness: Moderate Blistering: Slight/moderate LeafThickness: Intermediate Trichomes: Absent

B. Comparison to Most Similar Variety Characteristic ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’Head Shape Spherical Spherical Head Size Class Large Large Head Countper Carton 24 24 Head Weight 924 889 Head Firmness Firm Firm Shape RoundRound/Pointed Midrib Moderately Raised Moderately Raised Bolting ClassMedium Medium Bolter Leaves Curved Curved Margin Dentate Dentate ColorMedium Green Medium Green Terminal Inflorescence Present Present LateralShoots (above head) Present Present Basal Side Shoots Absent Absent

C. Growing Season Season ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’ Spring area Not AdaptedDesert South west Summer area Not Adapted Not Adapted Fall area HuronCA, and Desert Southwest Not Adapted Winter area: Desert Southwest NotAdapted

D. Diseases and Stress Reactions Disease or Stress ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’Virus N/A NA Big Vein: N/A N/A Lettuce Mosaic: N/A N/A Cucumber Mosaic:N/A N/A Broad Bean Wilt: N/A N/A Turnip Mosaic: N/A N/A Best WesternYellows: N/A N/A Lettuce Infectious Yellows: N/A N/A

E. Fungi/Bacteria Fungal/Bacterial ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’ Corky Root Rot(Pythium N/A N/A Root Rot): Downy Mildew (Races I, N/A N/A IIA, III):Powdery Mildew: N/A N/A Sclerotinia Rot: N/A N/A Bacterial Soft Rot N/AN/A (Pseudomonas spp. & others): Not tested Botrytis (Gray Mold): N/AN/A Other: Corky Root Rot N/A N/A (Rhizomonas suberifaciens):

F. Insects Insects ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’ Cabbage Loopers: N/A N/A RootAphids: N/A N/A Green Peach Aphid: N/A N/A

G. Physiological/Stress Stress ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’ Tipburn N/A N/A HeatN/A N/A Drought N/A N/A Cold Tolerant Tolerant Salt N/A N/A

H. Post Harvest Characteristic ‘Pocono’ ‘Speedway’ Pink Rib N/A N/ARusset Spotting N/A N/A Rusty Brown Discoloration N/A N/A Internal RibNecrosis (Blackheart, N/A N/A Gray Rib, Gray Streak) Brown Stain N/A N/A

Breeding and Selection

The present invention is further directed to the use of ‘Pocono’ lettucein breeding and selection of new varieties.

A. Breeding

In lettuce breeding, lines are selected for their appropriatecharacteristics. For example, one line may be selected for bolttolerance in the fall growing conditions of the desert productionlocations of California and Arizona. Another line may be selected forthe size, color, and texture of the lettuce head. Crosses are made, forexample, to produce a dark green, sure heading iceberg lettuce withimproved texture and size for fall plantings in Yuma, Ariz. and Huron,Calif.

To optimize crossing, it is important to note that lettuce is anobligate self-pollinating species. This means that the pollen is shedbefore stigma emergence, assuring 100% self-fertilization. Since eachlettuce flower is an aggregate of about 10-20 individual florets(typical of the Compositae family), manual removal of the anther tubescontaining the pollen is performed by procedures well known in the artof lettuce breeding.

The manual removal of anther tubes, though an effective means to ensurethe removal of all self-pollinating possibilities, is very tedious andtime consuming when a large number of crosses are to be made. Thebreeders have therefore adapted a well-documented and modified method ofmaking crosses more efficiently using these methods. This particularcross was made by first misting the designated male flowers to wash thepollen off prior to fertilization. This process of misting is a provenand effective means of pollen removal that assures crossing orhybridization. About 60-90 minutes past sunrise, flowers to be used forcrossings are selected. The basis for selection are open flowers, withthe stigma emerged and the pollen visibly attached to the single stigma(about 10-20 stigma). Using 3-4 pumps of water from a regular spraybottle, the pollen is washed off with enough pressure to dislodge thepollen grains, but not enough to damage the style. Excess water is driedoff with clean paper towels. About 30 minutes later, the styles shouldspring back up and the two lobes of the stigma are visibly open in a “V”shape. Pollen from another variety or donor parent is then introduced bygently rubbing the stigma and style of the donor parent to the maternalparent. Tags with the pertinent information on date and pedigree arethen secured to the flowers in order to keep track.

About 2-3 weeks after pollination, seeds are harvested when theinvolucre have matured. The seeds are eventually sown and in thepresence of markers such as leaf color or leaf margins, the selfed ormaternal seedlings or plants are identified. Generally, there are novisible markers and breeders must wait until the F₂ generations whenexpected segregation patterns for the genetic character of interest canbe followed. This latter situation mandates a lengthy wait to determineif hybrids are produced. Two relevant references teaching methods forout crossing lettuce are: (1) Ryder, E. J. and A. S. Johnson. 1974. Mistdepollination of lettuce flowers. Hortscience 9:584; and (2) Nagata, R.T. 1992. Clip and Wash Method of Emasculation for Lettuce. Hortscience27(8):907-908 both of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety for the purpose of providing details on the techniqueswell known in the art.

B. Selection

In addition to crossing, selection may be used to identify and isolatenew lettuce lines. In lettuce selection, lettuce seeds are planted, theplants are grown and single plant selections are made of plants withdesired characteristics. Such characteristics may include improved headand frame size, deeper or darker green leaf color, etc. Seed from thesingle plant selections are harvested, separated from seeds of the otherplants in the field and re-planted. The plants from the selected seedare monitored to determine if they exhibit the desired characteristicsof the originally selected line. Selection work is continued overmultiple generations to increase the uniformity of the new line.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

A deposit of the lettuce variety ‘Pocono’ is maintained by ProgenyAdvanced Genetics, having an address at 590A Works Street, Salinas,Calif. 93901, United States of America. Access to this deposit will beavailable during the pendency of this application to persons determinedby the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to be entitled theretounder 37 C.F.R. §1.14 and 35 U.S.C. §122. Upon allowance of any claimsin this application, all restrictions on the availability to the publicof the variety will be irrevocably removed by affording access to adeposit of at least 2,500 seeds of the same variety with the AmericanType Culture Collection, (ATCC), P.O. Box 1549, MANASSAS, Va. 20108 USA.

Applicants have made available to the public without restriction adeposit of at least 2500 seeds of lettuce variety ‘Pocono’ with theAmerican Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852 with adeposit on (DATE) which has been assigned ATCC number X1.

The deposit will be maintained in the ATCC depository, which is a publicdepository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recentrequest, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer,and will be replaced if a deposit becomes nonviable during that period.

This invention will be better understood by reference to the followingnon-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 General Trialing Method

The following steps illustrate the general trialing method of theinvention:

I. Set Up

1. A trial is set up to compare one or more lines. Parental lines andrelated varieties are identified.

2. Primary slots are identified.

3. Necessary accession lines are located and purchased/received fromseed dealers or growers.

4. All varieties are assigned a number to maintain integrity andanonymity.

5. Trials are set up in with all necessary varieties. Varietyarrangement for trial is diagramed.

II. Planting

1. Commercial plantings are located by contacting commercial growersduring the planting slot recommended for the variety.

2. A field is located during commercial planting and the necessary rowsand area is marked off.

3. Varieties are planted according to a diagram, generally in 100 footranges.

4. All varieties are planted in same manner to mimic the planting of thecommercial variety as closely as possible.

5. A trial map is drawn diagramming the trial, the trial location in thefield and directions to the field.

III. Maintenance

1. All varieties are treated identically. Plants are watered,fertilized, and treated to control pests in the same manner as otherlettuce plants in the commercial field.

2. The trial is thinned to separate the plants for optimum growth.

Example 2 Comparative Analysis

‘Pocono’ is a new and distinct variety of iceberg lettuce that mostclosely resembles the commercial variety ‘Speedway’. ‘Pocono’ is avanguard type iceberg lettuce variety adapted to the early winter andspring harvest of the desert South West and Huron lettuce productionregions of California and Arizona. ‘Pocono’ is large heading and largeframed, widely adapted variety, with improved heading characteristics,and improved resistance to tip burn and bolting.

Compared to ‘Speedway’, ‘Pocono’ is larger heading, and adapted toslightly cooler harvest periods. ‘Pocono’ can be planted in the desertSouth West lettuce production region between October 1^(st) and October10^(th), for harvest in January. In addition to this slot, ‘Pocono’ canagain be planted in the desert south west between October 25^(th) andNovember 15^(th), for harvest in February. ‘Speedway’, needing more heatunits to produce a marketable head, is planted between November 15^(th)and December 10^(th) for harvest in March. ‘Speedway’ is generally notplanted in the fall slot because of its smaller size. With the increasedvigor of Toconos', compared to ‘Speedway’, ‘Pocono’ is larger heading,and framed, but will also have higher cores and is more susceptible totip burn if grown at the same time period as ‘Speedway’.

‘Pocono’ has a significantly longer core length than ‘Speedway’.‘Pocono’ is significantly larger heading than ‘Speedway’.

Core elongation characteristics of the ‘Pocono’ iceberg lettuce varietywere measured from six independent trials. Three of these independenttrials were conducted in the winter of Year 10 in Yuma, Ariz. (TABLE1A). The other three independent trials were conducted in the winter ofYear 11 in Yuma, Ariz. (TABLE 1B). All trials from Year 10 and Year 11included the lettuce variety ‘Speedway’ so that the core elongationcharacteristics of ‘Pocono’ could be directly compared to its mostsimilar variety.

TABLE 1A Year 10 Trials: Core Length Evaluation of ‘Pocono’ and‘Speedway’ Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Core Length (mm) Core Length (mm)Core Length (mm) Plant Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway 145.0 36.0 42.0 38.0 40.0 30.0 2 45.0 36.0 41.0 35.0 42.0 35.0 3 48.032.0 41.0 35.0 4.0 35.0 4 42.0 36.0 45.0 32.0 45.0 32.0 5 43.0 36.0 45.035.0 48.0 35.0 6 45.0 38.0 48.0 32.0 45.0 36.0 7 45.0 35.0 45.0 32.042.0 33.0 8 46.0 35.0 42.0 32.0 42.0 31.0 9 48.0 32.0 42.0 30.0 45.032.0 10 41.0 35.0 42.0 35.0 43.0 34.0 11 41.0 32.0 45.0 36.0 46.0 38.012 40.0 32.0 40.0 30.0 47.0 32.0 13 45.0 35.0 40.0 32.0 41.0 30.0 1443.0 35.0 45.0 38.0 46.0 30.0 15 42.0 32.0 42.0 35.0 45.0 35.0 16 40.030.0 41.0 32.0 45.0 35.0 17 40.0 32.0 43.0 36.0 48.0 32.0 18 40.0 32.045.0 35.0 42.0 31.0 19 48.0 35.0 46.0 30.0 42.0 35.0 20 48.0 36.0 42.032.0 42.0 36.0 21 45.0 36.0 42.0 36.0 41.0 30.0 22 46.0 32.0 42.0 38.040.0 30.0 23 46.0 31.0 45.0 31.0 40.0 30.0 24 46.0 31.0 42.0 34.0 48.032.0 25 45.0 35.0 40.0 32.0 47.0 35.0 26 47.0 38.0 40.0 35.0 46.0 36.027 43.0 36.0 48.0 32.0 45.0 39.0 28 42.0 35.0 45.0 35.0 42.0 38.0 2942.0 32.0 40.0 36.0 43.0 35.0 30 48.0 35.0 35.0 35.0 41.0 36.0 Average44.2 34.1 42.7 33.9 42.4 33.6 Stan dev 2.70E+00 2.19E+00 2.74E+002.39E+00 7.69E+00 2.70E+00 T test 4.97E−09 2.90E−19 1.74E−07 Probability% 100.0 100.0000 100.0000 % Difference 29.5 26.1 26.3 Confidence Int0.0310 0.0250 0.0314 0.0273 0.0881 0.0309 Range of Var min* 44.14 34.0742.67 33.84 42.35 33.57 Range of Var max* 44.20 34.13 42.73 33.89 42.5233.63 *Range of variation among means of statistically significantdifferences at the 95% level using the confidence interval, [C] = mean+/− {SD × SE}

TABLE 1B Year 11 Trials: Core Length Evaluation of ‘Pocono’ and‘Speedway’ Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Core Length (mm) Core Length (mm)Core Length (mm) Plant Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway 145.0 35.0 44.0 35.0 41.0 35.0 2 46.0 32.0 48.0 32.0 41.0 35.0 3 41.030.0 46.0 36.0 42.0 32.0 4 48.0 30.0 48.0 31.0 48.0 36.0 5 48.0 35.047.0 30.0 47.0 34.0 6 7.0 35.0 42.0 30.0 45.0 35.0 7 45.0 32.0 42.0 30.045.0 38.0 8 42.0 32.0 43.0 32.0 46.0 32.0 9 41.0 30.0 48.0 35.0 48.032.0 10 40.0 30.0 49.0 35.0 42.0 32.0 11 40.0 30.0 41.0 35.0 42.0 32.012 40.0 30.0 45.0 34.0 48.0 35.0 13 46.0 30.0 42.0 36.0 42.0 36.0 1448.0 30.0 47.0 33.0 40.0 30.0 15 42.0 35.0 48.0 32.0 45.0 30.0 16 2.032.0 46.0 33.0 45.0 31.0 17 42.0 32.0 42.0 33.0 40.0 35.0 18 42.0 30.048.0 32.0 45.0 34.0 19 41.0 35.0 45.0 38.0 45.0 38.0 20 40.0 35.0 46.036.0 42.0 36.0 21 48.0 36.0 49.0 32.0 48.0 35.0 22 47.0 35.0 42.0 35.047.0 39.0 23 45.0 38.0 48.0 32.0 42.0 35.0 24 42.0 32.0 45.0 32.0 41.035.0 25 42.0 35.0 47.0 35.0 40.0 38.0 26 45.0 32.0 41.0 36.0 46.0 36.027 46.0 32.0 45.0 36.0 48.0 32.0 28 48.0 36.0 46.0 32.0 42.0 32.0 2945.0 35.0 41.0 30.0 42.0 35.0 30 44.0 32.0 42.0 35.0 48.0 32.0 Average41.3 32.8 45.1 33.4 44.1 34.2 Stan dev 1.04E+01 2.40E+00 2.68E+002.21E+00 2.84E+00 2.42E+00 T test 5.28E−05 7.07E−26 6.48E−21 Probability% 99.9947 100.0000 100.0000 % Difference 25.9 34.9 28.8 Confidence Int0.1189 0.0275 0.0307 0.0253 0.0326 0.0277 Range of Var min* 41.15 32.7445.07 33.41 44.07 34.21 Range of Var max* 41.39 32.79 45.13 33.46 44.1334.26 *Range of variation among means of statistically significantdifferences at the 95% level using the confidence interval, [C] = mean+/− {SD × SE}

As can be seen from TABLE 1A and 1B, the average core length of ‘Pocono’ranged between 41.1 mm and 45.1 mm over the six trials. In contrast,‘Speedway’ was observed to have an average core length ranging between32.8 mm and 34.2 mm over the six trials. Overall, in the six trialsconducted over two years, ‘Pocono’ consistently had a statisticallysignificant longer core than ‘Speedway’ at the 95% confidence level.

In addition to core length evaluation, head diameter characteristics ofthe ‘Pocono’ iceberg lettuce variety were measured from six independenttrials. Three of these independent trials were conducted in the winterof Year 10 in Yuma, Ariz. (TABLE 2A). The other three independent trialswere conducted in the winter of Year 11 in Yuma, Ariz. (TABLE 2B). Alltrials from Year 10 and Year 11 included the lettuce variety ‘Speedway’so that the head diameter characteristics of ‘Pocono’ could be directlycompared to its most similar variety.

TABLE 2A Year 10 Trials: Head Diameter Evaluation of ‘Pocono’ and‘Speedway’ Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Head diam (mm) Head diam (mm) Headdiam (mm) Plant Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway 1 148.0138.0 148.0 138.0 149.0 135.0 2 152.0 136.0 145.0 132.0 148.0 135.0 3154.0 135.0 145.0 130.0 148.0 136.0 4 152.0 135.0 151.0 130.0 148.0138.0 5 153.0 135.0 148.0 135.0 150.0 130.0 6 157.0 134.0 148.0 135.0152.0 130.0 7 152.0 136.0 145.0 136.0 148.0 136.0 8 148.0 133.0 145.0136.0 151.0 132.0 9 159.0 136.0 145.0 132.0 152.0 130.0 10 156.0 139.0142.0 136.0 152.0 136.0 11 154.0 140.0 145.0 130.0 154.0 136.0 12 154.0145.0 146.0 132.0 150.0 132.0 13 152.0 152.0 148.0 132.0 148.0 132.0 14150.0 136.0 150.0 134.0 150.0 135.0 15 150.0 130.0 152.0 135.0 158.0134.0 16 158.0 132.0 149.0 132.0 152.0 138.0 17 152.0 135.0 147.0 132.0156.0 132.0 18 149.0 154.0 153.0 135.0 150.0 130.0 19 152.0 138.0 140.0135.0 153.0 135.0 20 149.0 139.0 145.0 135.0 152.0 136.0 21 151.0 140.0148.0 130.0 150.0 132.0 22 150.0 132.0 148.0 130.0 152.0 130.0 23 152.0135.0 145.0 136.0 154.0 136.0 24 145.0 136.0 156.0 132.0 156.0 135.0 25149.0 136.0 145.0 135.0 154.0 134.0 26 152.0 138.0 158.0 130.0 154.0136.0 27 150.0 135.0 154.0 130.0 152.0 130.0 28 150.0 132.0 148.0 130.0151.0 135.0 29 156.0 136.0 147.0 132.0 153.0 132.0 30 153.0 136.0 152.0130.0 148.0 135.0 Average 152.0 137.1 147.9 132.9 151.5 133.8 Stan dev3.13E+00 5.21E+00 3.97E+00 2.48E+00 2.66E+00 2.53E+00 T test 2.38E−196.65E−25 4.62E−34 Probability % 100.00 100.00 100.00 % Difference −10.8−11.3 −13.3 Confidence Int 0.0359 0.0597 0.0455 0.0284 0.0305 0.0289Range of Var min* 151.93 137.07 147.89 132.87 151.47 133.74 Range of Varmax* 152.00 137.19 147.98 132.93 151.53 133.80 *Range of variation amongmeans of statistically significant differences at the 95% level usingthe confidence interval, [C] = mean +/− {SD × SE}

TABLE 2B Year 11 Trials: Head Diameter Evaluation of ‘Pocono’ and‘Speedway’ Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Head diam (mm) Head diam (mm) Headdiam (mm) Plant Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway Pocono Speedway 1 148.0135.0 145.0 135.0 149.0 135.0 2 147.0 135.0 149.0 135.0 148.0 136.0 3148.0 136.0 148.0 136.0 152.0 136.0 4 148.0 136.0 145.0 140.0 152.0136.0 5 152.0 136.0 145.0 136.0 152.0 136.0 6 153.0 136.0 152.0 138.0154.0 136.0 7 149.0 132.0 148.0 130.0 152.0 134.0 8 154.0 130.0 151.0132.0 152.0 138.0 9 156.0 136.0 150.0 135.0 152.0 138.0 10 152.0 136.0149.0 135.0 151.0 135.0 11 150.0 134.0 148.0 134.0 150.0 130.0 12 149.0136.0 146.0 136.0 150.0 132.0 13 145.0 130.0 152.0 130.0 150.0 132.0 14148.0 130.0 151.0 132.0 152.0 132.0 15 151.0 130.0 157.0 132.0 154.0135.0 16 147.0 132.0 156.0 130.0 147.0 136.0 17 146.0 132.0 153.0 135.0148.0 132.0 18 152.0 132.0 152.0 134.0 154.0 134.0 19 149.0 135.0 149.0136.0 152.0 134.0 20 153.0 130.0 148.0 135.0 150.0 132.0 21 148.0 130.0151.0 135.0 148.0 133.0 22 147.0 136.0 150.0 132.0 146.0 134.0 23 146.0135.0 153.0 130.0 146.0 135.0 24 148.0 132.0 147.0 135.0 152.0 130.0 25145.0 138.0 146.0 132.0 154.0 132.0 26 152.0 136.0 145.0 138.0 152.0130.0 27 152.0 138.0 148.0 136.0 148.0 135.0 28 150.0 134.0 142.0 135.0150.0 135.0 29 150.0 136.0 157.0 130.0 150.0 136.0 30 140.0 138.0 154.0132.0 148.0 134.0 Average 149.2 134.1 149.6 134.0 150.5 134.1 Stan dev3.25E+00 2.68E+00 3.74E+00 2.63E+00 2.35E+00 2.19E+00 T test 2.60E−273.97E−26 2.13E−35 Probability % 100.00 100.00 100.00 % Difference −11.3−11.6 −12.2 Confidence Int 0.0372 0.0307 0.0428 0.0301 0.0268 0.0250Range of Var min* 149.13 134.04 149.52 134.00 150.47 134.07 Range of Varmax* 149.20 134.10 149.61 134.06 150.53 134.13 *Range of variation amongmeans of statistically significant differences at the 95% level usingthe confidence interval, [C] = mean +/− {SD × SE}

As can be seen from TABLE 2A and 2B, the average head diameter of‘Pocono’ ranged between 147.9 mm and 152.0 mm over the six trials. Incontrast, ‘Speedway’ was observed to have an average head diameterranging between 132.9 mm and 137.1 mm over the six trials. Overall, inthe six trials conducted over two years, ‘Pocono’ consistently had astatistically significant larger head diameter than ‘Speedway’ at the95% confidence level.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and examples for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain modifications andalternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theforegoing teachings and appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. Lactuca sativa seed designated as ‘Pocono’ havingATCC Accession Number X1.
 2. A Lactuca sativa plant produced by growingthe seed of claim
 1. 3. A lettuce head isolated from the plant of claim2.
 4. A Lactuca sativa plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the Lactuca sativa plant of claim
 2. 5.An F₁ hybrid Lactuca sativa plant having ‘Pocono’ as a parent where‘Pocono’ is grown from the seed of claim
 1. 6. Pollen of the plant ofclaim
 2. 7. An ovule of the plant of claim
 2. 8. Tissue culture of theplant of claim
 2. 9. A method of selecting lettuce, comprising: a)growing more than one plant from the seed of claim 1; and b) selecting aplant from step a).
 10. A Lactuca sativa plant selected by the method ofclaim
 9. 11. Lactuca sativa seed produced from the Lactuca sativa plantof claim 10.